Ann Brckovich, 97, of Buckner passed away on Monday March 5, 2018, at Helia Healthcare in Benton.

She was born on September 7, 1920 in Buckner to Alex and Anna (Rohrsetzer) Yankevich. 

She married Nick Brckovich on July 12, 1941 and he preceded her in death on July 27, 1981.

She is survived by one son Nick Brckovich of Buckner; one daughter Renee (Robert) Crews of Buckner; three grandchildren Krista (Michael) Kanady, Wendi (Charles) Bushong, and Robert “Bobby” Crews all of Buckner; three great grandchildren Cody, Mikayla and Emily; two great grand blessings Peyton & Krisi; one great great grandson TJ.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and one granddaughter Krista Renee Crews.

She was a homemaker and was a member of the St Andrews Catholic Church.

Funeral services will be on Wednesday March 7, 2018 at 11:00 AM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Father Urban Osuji officiating. 

Visitation will be on Wednesday March 7, 2018 from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM.  Burial will be at St Andrews Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the PMG Awareness and will be accepted at the funeral home.

For more information or to leave a memory, please visit our website, http://www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com/

Patricia Maxine Boston, age 57, of Benton; passed away at 4:50 a.m. Friday, March 2, 2018 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St, Louis, MO.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Pastor Helen Whitney officiating.  Burial will be in the Wolf Creek Cemetery of Eldorado.  Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Patricia was born on December 19, 1960 in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Stanley C. Hess and Beulah Maxine (Pitchford) Hess.  She married Jerry Dee Boston on January 29, 1993 and he survives.

She was a housewife and enjoyed several hobbies including coloring, making crafts, sewing, gardening, mowing the grass, shopping at Wal-Mart, spending time with family, especially her boys.

Patricia is survived by, her loving husband of 25 years, Jerry Dee Boston of Benton; two daughters: Crystal Gail Fletcher and husband Daniel of Benton, Lindsey Renee Boston and fiancée Joshua Davenport of Benton; a son: Joseph Overturf of Benton; her boys: Drayden Kole Boston, Axel Dwain Boston, Harley Lane Davenport all three of Benton, and Gavin Snethen of Zeigler; four sisters: Brenda Hill and husband Walter of Waltonville, Karen Chamness and husband Frankie of Sesser, Gayla McDaniel and husband Richard of Mattoon, IL, Lisa Boston and husband Ronnie of Eldorado; two brothers: Jimmy Hess and wife Shannon of Thompsonville, Dennis Hess and wife Debbie of Cambria; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister Judith Throgmorton; three brothers: Steven Hess, David Hess and Paul Hess.

To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Patricia, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

BEN C. “BENNIE” HIGGERSON, 79, of Benton IL passed away Saturday evening, March 3, 2018, at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon.

His funeral will be officiated by Father Urban Osugi at 11 a.m. Friday, March 9, at the Morton and Johnston Funeral Home in Benton.  Interment will be at Brady Cemetery in Akin.

Visitation will be 9-11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Ben was born March 27, 1938, in New Madrid, Mo., the son of Benjamin and Shirley (Slater) Higgerson.

He married Melba (Poynor) on March 30, 1959. She died April 27, 1997. His parents, two infant sisters, a sister, Jean Gulley, and a brother, Gerald Higgerson, also preceded him in death.

Ben was an Illinois State Police trooper in District 13 for 28 years, retiring in 1996. Master Sergeant Ray Minor, a long-time friend and colleague, described him as a warrior, friend, and mentor.

He enjoyed woodworking, classic country music, and loved to fish and garden. He was a man with a big heart and a generous soul.

He is survived by four children; Robin (Louis) Giroux of Benton, Pamela (Jeffrey) Janecek of New Lenox, Jeff Higgerson of Normal, Ben (Tishaunda) Higgerson Jr. of Metropolis; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren, and his long-time companion, Jody Fotheringhame of Benton. Also surviving are one sister, Linda (Richard) Rouse of Benton, and one brother, David (Suzanne) Higgerson of Canyon Lake, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Ben C. Higgerson Scholarship Fund at the State Bank of Whittington. It will benefit those pursuing a career in criminal justice.

For more information or to sign the online guest register, visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Ronnie Dean Walden, 79, of Benton, passed away on Thursday, March 1, 2018, at his residence.

He was born on July 30, 1938, to Glen and Berdena (Brewer) Walden in Coles County, IL.

Ronnie was a member of Faith Baptist Church, Benton, IL.  He loved to talk to people, walking, picking up cans, spending time at Hucks, and playing basketball as a young man.

He is survived by his three sisters, Betty Toms of Benton, IL, Janet Trapper and husband Walter of Benton, IL, and Linda Beall and husband James of Benton, IL.

Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents, Glen and Berdena Walden,  two brothers, Larry Walden and Wayne Walden, a sister, Mary Washburn.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 6, 2018, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., at Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 6, 2018, 1:00 p.m., at the Pate Funeral Home, Benton, IL, with Brother Steve Flach, officiating.

Burial will take place in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Brother Steve Flach for ministering to Ronnie and being his best friend.

Online condolences can be given at www.patefh.com.

Dennis N. Gulley, 64, of Buckner, IL, passed away at 1:42 p.m., on Saturday,  February 24, 2018, at his home surrounded by his family.

He was born on June 22, 1953, to Nolan and Barbara (Wall) Gulley in Christopher, IL. Dennis worked as a coal miner.  On November 4, 2002,  he married Barbie Perkins and she survives.

Dennis was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He loved golfing and playing cards. Dennis was an avid Cubs fan. He completed an item on his bucket list when he was able to see them win the World Series.

Dennis is survived by his loving wife Barbie, two daughters, Cheyanne (Joshua) Day of WA, Gretchen (John) Martin of Mulkeytown, IL; three sons, Dakota (Lindsay) Smith of West Frankfort, IL, Joseph (Kindell) Brown of WA, Daniel (Amanda) Brown of Wellington; and several grandchildren, Cara, Veda, Janson, Colton, Gracelynn, Morgan, Gavin, Lexi, Dylan, Aden, and Aubree.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Nolan and Barbara Gulley.

Services have been entrusted to Pate Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., Benton, IL.

As per Dennis’ wishes, cremation will take place, with private services to be held by the family.

Memorial contributions may be made out to Celtic Hospice and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Condolences may be made online at www.patefh.com

Wilma Lee Elimon, age 95, of Benton, IL went to be with the Lord at 1:45 p.m. Friday, February 23, 2018. She was born February 13, 1923 in West Frankfort, IL to Emon and Cora Summers.  She would marry Clyde R. Elimon on April 7, 1943, and he preceded her in death.

Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, March 1, 2018 in the Immanuel Baptist Church, Benton, IL with Pastor Sammy Simmons officiating.  Private burial will be in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton.  Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the funeral hour at 11:00 a.m. Thursday in the Immanuel Baptist Church.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Immanuel Baptist Church or to SSM Hospice of the Good Samaritan.  Arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Mrs. Elimon worked for 25 plus years as a lunch room supervisor at the Benton Grade School.

She was a member of the Immanuel Baptist Church of Benton, where she was a member of the Esther Bible Class.

Mrs. Elimon enjoyed traveling to Florida, spending time on her houseboat on Rend Lake, Church activities with her friends and family, and enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her granddaughters and their families, and playing cards with Clyde.

Wilma is survived by her three loving granddaughters: Leigh Ann Ward and husband Jim of Benton, Kelly Kanzaki and husband Ty of Bettendorf, IA, Lori Craven and husband Chuck of Benton; eleven great-grandchildren: Jennifer Summers of Benton, Daulton Ward and wife Brooklyn of Benton, Ashtyn Ward of Benton, Jenny Ward Head and husband Jamie of Benton, Allison Ward Anthis and husband Brad, Zachary Chaplain,  Alex Chaplain, and Katie Kanzaki all three of Bettendorf, IA, Dillan Chamness, Tyler Chamness, and A.J. Craven all of Benton; great-great-grandchildren: Anais Dove, Cheshire Dove, Aria Jane Anthis, Trevor Head, and Nathan Head; a son-in-law Cliff Jones and wife Sheila of Benton; three sisters-in-law: Nadine Dunivan and husband Rolland of Benton, Verdine Miller and husband Edward of Marion, Jean Elimon of Belleville, IL; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Emon and Cora Summers; her husband Clyde R. Elimon (died: February 17, 2011); a daughter: Judy Jones (died: April 11, 2014); a great-granddaughter: April Dawn Chaplain; a brother Virgil Summers; a grandson-in-law: Mark Chaplain; and a brother-in-law: Jim Elimon.

To leave online condolences to the family or to share memories of Wilma, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com